Future of British manufacturing

Autodesk (hall 17, stand 600) will be sharing its vision of the ‘Future of British Manufacturing’ at MACH with the 2019 releases of CAM software products that include Autodesk PowerMill and Autodesk FeatureCAM.

Customer image showing the RAMLAB additive manufacturing project at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. RAMLAB enables metal parts on demand. Shown is a ship’s propeller created for the project using the new ‘hybrid manufacturing’ technique.

Visitors can hear more on the main stage (12 April) at the MACH Conference centre, where Asif Moghal, senior industry manager at Autodesk, will be presenting on the Future of British Manufacturing initiative, a collaboration between UK industrial organisations. Visitors to the stand will be able to view a scaled-down sample of a propeller manufactured using PowerMill additive technology.
For further information www.autodesk.com

Chester to launch Style range

Chester Machine Tools (hall 17, stand 564) is using MACH to announce its exclusive UK distributorship for Netherlands-based Style Machine Tools. Since 1991, Style has been making CNC machining centres, all of which feature the company’s proprietary control system, which although offering extensive functions for experienced operators, is also said to be accessible to apprentices.

Highlights of the control system, which features a 19” touch screen, include 3D simulation programs and contouring capabilities, along with the ability to import DXF files directly. The control can also read, process and implement ISO G codes. On the stand, Chester will be unveiling and demonstrating the Style 510 series CNC machining centre.
For further information www.chestermachinetools.com

Workholding and automation solutions

Among the innovations on display from 1st MTA (hall 20, stand 560) will be a zero-point clamping system from V-Tech. For clamping workpieces on CNC machining centres, this pneumatic quick-change system features 24 kN retraction of the clamping pin in each receiver, and a positioning accuracy of better than 5 µm.

From a barfeed perspective, the latest announcement is that an Industry 4.0 connection is available for any new Iemca barfeed, allowing constant remote analysis of its condition and operation. With regard to rotary tables, on show will be Kitagawa’s latest TT150 tilting-type compound table with 150 mm faceplate, while elsewhere on the stand, 1st MTA will demonstrate a Chick Indexer SubSystem (ISS), showing how more components can be presented to a machining centre spindle by adding a fourth axis. Another Chick product on show will be the latest lightweight version of its One-Lok clamping system, which is pitched as a superior alternative to the conventional wind-up vice.
For further information www.1mta.com

Multi-axis turning centres on show

Among the products from 600 UK (hall 6, stand 565) will be a series of multi-axis CNC turning centres, which are the next-generation machines from Colchester, replacing the previous Tornado range.

The new Clausing MillPWR CNC milling machine will also be demonstrated at the show, utilising the conversational Acu-Rite MillPWR G2 control to program prototypes and small batches of components. 600 UK’s Industry 4.0 package, initially targeted at its range of Colchester and Harrison centre lathes, and MultiTurn and Alpha CNC lathes, will be a further exhibit (on a Colchester Triumph centre lathe).
For further information www.600uk.com

MACH 2018 opens its doors

MACH, the UK’s largest exhibition for machine tools and manufacturing technologies, opens its doors today for a week (9-13 April) of trade, innovation and networking at the NEC in Birmingham.

Staged by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), this biennial exhibition shines the spotlight on all the latest product developments. In 2016, both Halls 4 and 5 were completely sold out, attracting 25,627 visitors from diverse sectors across the whole of the UK manufacturing industry.
With over 600 companies exhibiting, an impressive £150m of business was attributed to MACH 2016, and 2018 promises to be bigger and better with new zones, advanced technologies and a vibrant seminar program. As always, MTI magazine will have a strong presence at MACH, where from hall 17, stand 434 the team will be handing out copies of the show issue to passing visitors. All are welcome to call by the stand for a friendly chat about any requirements for buying or selling new or pre-owned machine tools.
For further information www.machexhibition.com